When we gather, our confidence, ease, pleasure, and responsibility can be enhanced or degraded.
It's in our hands to create a good space through self care and attention to others. If you have questions, please ask me.
No previous experience required. No pressure to move like others or live up to any notion of “dancing”. The space is for practice: meditative attention on body-sensing and playing with movements, pauses, shapes, and locations.
Consent is our standard (e.g. to partner or group dance, touch, or try a specific guided activity). Consent is extended & withdrawn with no need for explanation.
No body is preferred or disdained. We practice mutual respect. My responsibility includes care & equity. I keep learning about barriers & harms faced by many in group settings. When conflict occurs, I practice listening and repair. If a problem arises for you, ask to address it with those concerned or, at need, raise it with me.
You're welcome and encouraged to dance with others. Learning to approach and respond to others, saying no or yes for as long as we choose, is an integral part of the practice. To say no, turn or move away/shake your head/hold up a “no thank you” hand. To say yes, turn toward/give eye contact/nod. To move on, use a parting gesture that feels natural and clear to you.
Classes and workshops are emotion, mind, body, spirit and sex positive spaces.
:::::
Practical agreements
Please arrive on time and stay for the whole practice, with the odd exception (because life!). If your situation makes this impossible, let me know, and we'll work it out.
To chat, catch up or share experiences or commentary verbally with others, leave the dance space. Conversations on the floor puncture the container and others' practice.
If you need to communicate verbally, go ahead and use simple words, e.g. Thank you. Are you okay? Stop. I’m injured. Sorry I bumped you.
Put away your phone and leave it alone. If you use tech to monitor a health condition or to be on call as a medic or caregiver, you're the exception.
No photography, video, or music-grabbing apps. It violates the container and others' boundaries.
If you're leaving early, please always inform me first. I just need to know you're okay.
When you take a pause from active movement to practice more restfully, you're still an active part of the group, not a spectator. No need to go to the wall. We can shift between movement and conscious body rest anywhere on the floor.
Don't use intoxicants before or during class.
Bare feet or clean indoor shoes, please. Socks without sticky bottoms = falls. Dirty shoes = ouch for others' bare feet.
Minimize scented products on body and laundry. People have serious allergies.
Please wash, and use deodorant. (You'll find deodorant in washrooms.)
:::::
Physical care practices
Bring water in your own container. (And take it home with you.)
Indoors, there will be *a lot* of fresh-air ventilation in all seasons. Wear non-restricting layers so you can easily cool down or warm up.
If you have tender joints or injuries, it's a great idea to wear cushioned shoes.
Chairs are available for seated practice. If you don't see a seat you can use, ask a crew member or me.
It's okay to use a blanket for body-on-floor movement. Put it away when not dancing on it—to keep the floor open to all.
If you're prone to blood-sugar drops, bring an easy-access snack.
Outdoors, come prepared for cold, wind, rain, and hot sun. Weather changes. A lot.
5Rhythms Teacher Joanne Winstanley offers wonderful "Points for Practice", a very helpful orientation.
It's in our hands to create a good space through self care and attention to others. If you have questions, please ask me.
No previous experience required. No pressure to move like others or live up to any notion of “dancing”. The space is for practice: meditative attention on body-sensing and playing with movements, pauses, shapes, and locations.
Consent is our standard (e.g. to partner or group dance, touch, or try a specific guided activity). Consent is extended & withdrawn with no need for explanation.
No body is preferred or disdained. We practice mutual respect. My responsibility includes care & equity. I keep learning about barriers & harms faced by many in group settings. When conflict occurs, I practice listening and repair. If a problem arises for you, ask to address it with those concerned or, at need, raise it with me.
You're welcome and encouraged to dance with others. Learning to approach and respond to others, saying no or yes for as long as we choose, is an integral part of the practice. To say no, turn or move away/shake your head/hold up a “no thank you” hand. To say yes, turn toward/give eye contact/nod. To move on, use a parting gesture that feels natural and clear to you.
Classes and workshops are emotion, mind, body, spirit and sex positive spaces.
:::::
Practical agreements
Please arrive on time and stay for the whole practice, with the odd exception (because life!). If your situation makes this impossible, let me know, and we'll work it out.
To chat, catch up or share experiences or commentary verbally with others, leave the dance space. Conversations on the floor puncture the container and others' practice.
If you need to communicate verbally, go ahead and use simple words, e.g. Thank you. Are you okay? Stop. I’m injured. Sorry I bumped you.
Put away your phone and leave it alone. If you use tech to monitor a health condition or to be on call as a medic or caregiver, you're the exception.
No photography, video, or music-grabbing apps. It violates the container and others' boundaries.
If you're leaving early, please always inform me first. I just need to know you're okay.
When you take a pause from active movement to practice more restfully, you're still an active part of the group, not a spectator. No need to go to the wall. We can shift between movement and conscious body rest anywhere on the floor.
Don't use intoxicants before or during class.
Bare feet or clean indoor shoes, please. Socks without sticky bottoms = falls. Dirty shoes = ouch for others' bare feet.
Minimize scented products on body and laundry. People have serious allergies.
Please wash, and use deodorant. (You'll find deodorant in washrooms.)
:::::
Physical care practices
Bring water in your own container. (And take it home with you.)
Indoors, there will be *a lot* of fresh-air ventilation in all seasons. Wear non-restricting layers so you can easily cool down or warm up.
If you have tender joints or injuries, it's a great idea to wear cushioned shoes.
Chairs are available for seated practice. If you don't see a seat you can use, ask a crew member or me.
It's okay to use a blanket for body-on-floor movement. Put it away when not dancing on it—to keep the floor open to all.
If you're prone to blood-sugar drops, bring an easy-access snack.
Outdoors, come prepared for cold, wind, rain, and hot sun. Weather changes. A lot.
5Rhythms Teacher Joanne Winstanley offers wonderful "Points for Practice", a very helpful orientation.